By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Filipino boxer Melvin Jerusalem aims for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight belt as he faces Japanese Masataka Taniguchi tonight at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.

The General Santos City-based Jerusalem will attempt to become the first world champion for the Philippines this year, after the country was left with no title holder by the end of 2022.

The 28-year-old Filipino challenger said he prepared hard against Taniguchi as this bout moved him closer to his dream of becoming a world boxing champion someday.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for my whole career. It is a make or break opportunity. I will make sure I’ll be on tiptop condition on fight night,” Jerusalem told Watchmen Daily Journal yesterday.

“I will prepare myself to have enough gas for fifteen rounds just to make sure. This is it. I will do everything to be a world champion and end the drought for our country. I want to thank Zip and Sanman Boxing for the opportunity,” he said.

Jerusalem was accompanied by Sanman Boxing big boss Jim Claude Mananquil as they landed in Osaka on Wednesday afternoon, January 4, in preparation for the bout.

“Melvin’s preparation has been good. He did a lot of sparring. Actually, we like our chances against Taniguchi,” Mananquil said.

He added that Jerusalem is also in high spirits heading into the bout as he has an eight-game winning streak since his last loss in 2017. He currently sports a 19-2-0 record, with 11 stoppage wins.

The 28-year-old Taniguchi, who has a 16-3 record with 11 KOs, won the world title in November 2021 when he dethroned Puerto Rican Wilfredo Mendez following an 11th round TKO win in Tokyo, Japan.

The Japanese world champion successfully defended his crown with another 11th round TKO win against compatriot Kai Ishizawa last year./ASC, WDJ